Senior citizen says he was punched in face at NJ polls by political boss

EAST ORANGE (WABC) -- A senior citizen says he was punched in the face at the polls Tuesday in New Jersey.

The alleged attacker was a former assemblyman and Democratic Party boss. Witnesses said the fight started over campaign signs.

No charges have been filed, but police are investigating.

Emotions ran high Tuesday morning in a campaign that has apparently turned rotten.

City Councilwoman Andrea McPhatter says she's been the victim of political intimidation.

"It's upsetting because this is supposed to be an election and they've taken it to the streets like thugs," said McPhatter.

McPhatter's push for re-election is apparently a battle for political power which has caused so much tension that a poll worker says he was slugged by the party boss at a voting precinct.

"And he started cursing and said he was going to kick my butt and other words, and then he hit me in my face and eye," said the worker, Bill Graves.

Graves, who is legally blind, claims he had to be treated at Veterans Hospital after he was hit above the left eye.

"I thought it was wrong for him to kick Mrs. McPhatter off the ticket and some of the things he said about her was totally incorrect and untrue," he said.

One council candidate, Kevin Taylor, claims the big party bosses are playing dirty politics to keep the voters from focusing on the real issues affecting East Orange, like education and crime.

East Orange police are investigating this case to determine whether charges will be filed against the alleged attacker.